Rather than another dive watch, this time It'll be a dress watch. Quite normal in size for its time and slightly larger than watches from the 1950s/1960s, it's a comfortable 37.8mm across (which includes the concealed crown). The look is complemented by well proportioned lugs with brushed tops and polished chamfered sides. The caseback is the usual Seiko style showing a serial number dating to May 1972 and the "lightning" symbol indicating that it was made at the Daini-Seikosha factory. While in very nice condition, there's enough dust, crud and DNA to almost warrant a HAZMAT suit, lucky I have plenty of COVID masks! After dusting away the detritus the movement is exposed. In reasonable condition, there is evidence of excessive grease and the jewels are very dry. With the rotor moved, we can view the balance, again no problems evident here. The ratchet wheel showed signs of too much grease. But the balance looked so nice, I thought I'd share a pic to compensate for the previous one.
After the bath, and some cleaning with peg wood and brushes it was into the ultrasonic for a serious bath. Turned out quite well I think. Next step is movement disassembling.
So, in the blink of an eye, the movement is all apart. Cleaning done, time to check all parts to make sure they can be re-used.
A Seiko thing I come across a lot. Mainspring barrel filled with black grease. This one is not actually too bad, seen much worse.
A little side track. The pic below illustrates the evolution of the date change mechanism, from the early 1970s caliber 7005A through to the current 7S26. Early calibers used steel wheels and pinions, then changed to injection moulded plastic as in the three piece 6039A. As injection moulding techniques improved the two piece day/date wheel became a single piece, and in my experience, not always as durable as the older designs. Anyway, that's progress, and we have to remember that these watches aren't KSs or Gas and have to be made to a cost.
Back to the movement assembly. Last step before putting it all back together was to lubricate the mainspring, barrel walls and arbor and put it all back together. And no sooner said than done. All of the train side parts assembled/lubricated and then a quick first check to see that all is running as expected. I'm happy with that. Another one almost done.
OK OK OK ..... as soon as I finish the current batch, the little Smiths shall be next. I'll keep it on my bench as a reminder so I don't forget again .
Gosh I'm slack, no updates since Sunday? Well, the movement got completed, and then it was ready to fit the dial and hands. Hands fitted.... and checked for clearance. Next the crystal and bezel ring get pressed on. And with final checking for dust etc it gets assembled and ready for running on the autowinder. Just some power reserve check to do, and Timegrapher results to be recorded.